Orthopedic Licensed Practical Nurse

Job description

The LPN provides direct patient care under the direction of a physician, APRN, or RN, and coordinates workers' compensation authorizations and follow-up for the practice. This role supports patient care administration, executes administrative and clinical procedures, provides day-to-day staff, logistical, and administrative assistance to a medical practice and/or clinic. Responsibilities include but are not limited to triage and scheduling; call screening and referral; providing clerical, word processing, and staff support; assisting with clinical and/or laboratory procedures, as required. The role keeps injured-worker cases moving by securing authorizations, sending required reports, and closing communication loops with carriers and case managers. Competence in the field requires that an LPN adheres to ethical and legal standards of professional practice, recognize, and respond to emergencies, and demonstrate professional characteristics. It also means W/C patients receive timely approved care, reports reach carriers on time, and no W/C service goes unpaid for missing authorization or documentation. Essential Duties: Clinical Care Room patients, obtain vital signs, pain scores, medication lists, and chief complaint, and prepare them for provider evaluation. Administer medications and injections as ordered, within Florida LPN scope and practice policy. Assist providers with in-office procedures, including joint injections, aspirations, splinting, and casting. Perform wound care, dressing changes, and suture or staple removal as ordered. Provide patient education on medications, home care, and post-procedure instructions as directed by the provider. Handle patient phone calls and portal messages within LPN scope, routing clinical decisions to providers. Process prescription refill requests per provider orders and practice protocol. Essential Duties: Workers' Compensation Authorization & Follow-Up Confirm claim details for each W/C patient before the visit: claim number, date of injury, accepted body parts, carrier, adjuster, and nurse case manager. Request and track authorization from carriers for office visits, diagnostics, injections, therapy, DME, referrals, and surgery; document reference numbers, approved services, and expiration dates. Make sure the Florida DWC-25 (Uniform Medical Treatment/Status Reporting Form) is completed by the provider after each visit and sent to the carrier within required timeframes. Send office notes, work status and restrictions, and treatment plans to adjusters and case managers after each visit. Follow up on pending authorizations on a set schedule and escalate delays or denials to the provider and practice leadership. Coordinate with nurse case managers on appointments, return-to-work status, and treatment plan questions. Track key milestones such as maximum medical improvement (MMI), impairment ratings, and case closure, and alert the provider when action is needed. Maintain a W/C case tracker showing each patient's authorization status, next visit, and open items. Work with billing to resolve W/C claim rejections tied to authorization or documentation. Compliance & Other Duties Maintain an active Florida LPN license (or compact license) and current BLS. Perform only tasks within LPN scope and under appropriate direction. Protect patient information under HIPAA and practice privacy policies; share only the minimum necessary. Follow practice SOPs and complete required annual training, including HIPAA, OSHA, compliance, and fraud, waste, and abuse. Follow infection-control, sharps, and medication storage policies, including temperature logs and expiration checks. Report errors, near misses, and compliance concerns to the Compliance Officer/Practice Administrator promptly. Perform other related duties as assigned.